Recipe revamp: Party dips

Here's to skinny dipping!

It's hard to imagine a party without at least one dip, but quite often these dips are high in calories and fat. Fortunately that's not the case here, as these three slimmed-down party dips have been revamped and are destined to be delicious yet healthier party favourites.

Directions:

Mix to combine, and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, until ready to serve.

Serve with cut-up raw vegetables or pita bread.

Revamped queso dip

Serving size 2 cups

Ingredients:

1/2 cup finely sliced green onions

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

2/3 cup skim milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 a (250-gram) block of reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed

1-1/2 cups reduced-fat sharp or aged cheddar cheese, grated

2 tablespoons drained and chopped pickled jalapenos

2 tablespoons chopped roasted red pepper

Directions:

To a small frying pan, add the onion and garlic, and sauté over medium heat with 1/4 cup of water until the onions and garlic are tender and the water has cooked off.

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and cornstarch over medium heat. Whisk until combined, then add the cream cheese, and mix it in until it's melted. Add the grated cheddar, and continue whisking until a smooth sauce is formed. Stir in the onion-garlic mixture, jalapenos and red pepper, and cook for 2 minutes to incorporate the flavours.

Quick Tip:

While roasted garlic is the perfect choice for a creamy dip such as our roasted garlic and rosemary dip, it's also a flavourful addition to many other foods. Roast several heads of garlic ahead of time, and keep them in the refrigerator, ready to use whenever needed. Why not mix roasted garlic into mashed potatoes, pizza and pasta sauce? Or how about adding a few cloves to a salad, whipped butter or olive oil? The possibilities are almost endless!